I am prior service and have done boot camp for a different branch of service and I have been through a military police school. My question is has anyone gone through boot camp with a different branch and joined the coast guard after and gone through CG boot camp? I want to know what you thought your second time around. And by the way I don’t mind going through it twice if I don’t have an option for the DEPOT program. I just want to know what was your experience the SECOND time. Will the drill instructors know I am prior service?!

CPORJMResserve Chief/Trusted MemberVeteran MemberPosts:1429

26 Oct 2018 11:20 AM

Being that you're prior service, you'll go to DEPOT

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."-Jonathan Swift

QuaifepNew MemberPosts:35

27 Oct 2018 11:10 PM

I could be wrong, but I thought that DEPOT was just for Reserves coming in directly as a Petty Officer, and everyone for the active side went through the regular 8 weeks, no matter what.

Also, they may ask who was prior service when asking for certain jobs like squad leader. The CC's may know if they look at your record, but I imagine it will be irreverent, unless something thing administrative like your pay isn't what it is supposed to be, or you need a service stripe for your Bravos. I know someone who went through about 6 years ago, who was in the Marines prior to the Coast Guard. He did the full 8 weeks, and I think the CC's asked his company as well. I think the only thing it may really effect, is that you know what you will experience, and how you react to the stress that Boot Camp is designed to create. Hope that helps.

CPORJMResserve Chief/Trusted MemberVeteran MemberPosts:1429

28 Oct 2018 12:29 PM

Posted By Quaifep on 28 Oct 2018 12:10 AM

I could be wrong, but I thought that DEPOT was just for Reserves coming in directly as a Petty Officer, and everyone for the active side went through the regular 8 weeks, no matter what.

That changed around two years ago or so. All prior service can go to DEPOT, whether or not they'll be coming in as a PO.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."-Jonathan Swift

QuaifepNew MemberPosts:35

28 Oct 2018 05:18 PM

Good to know, thank you, Chief.

Guardian3New MemberPosts:11

28 Oct 2018 08:32 PM

My recruiter said that I have to go to boot camp even if I’m prior service and that it’s actually better to do the 8 weeks because they expect so much more from prior service. I wasn’t the best at marching so I wouldn’t mind going through the full 8 weeks. Thank you for your responses.

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